Official Press Release Strike for Life!

Chief Executive Dave Edmundson will be speaking at the launch for the programme, which will be taking place over four weeks at Burnley FC with the use of the facilities at Turf Moor.

The project is aimed at 16 - 25-year-olds who are currently unemployed, not in further education, from troubled backgrounds or at risk of offending and will give opportunities for those involved to gain qualifications and experience for the future.

With sport and football as the incentive, the youngsters can engage in courses and seminars to pick up qualification certificates and go on to gain employment in the leisure, sport and recreation industry.

The project has been backed by over 15 organisations who will partake such as Burnley College, The Lancashire Football Association, SportsCoach UK, Lancashire Sport and many more.

The involvement of these parties means that there will be a wide choice of seminars and qualifications for the youngsters to take part in and they will have the chance to gain accolades such as the FA Junior Football Organiser’s Certificate, Level 1 Coaching Certificate in Basketball, complete numeracy and literary skills training, IT skills, First Aid training, Race and Diversity and Drugs and Alcohol Awareness Workshops and much, much more.

By working towards these qualifications, participants will be more attractive to potential employers in the industry and the impetus to get into work will be greater.

Councillor Colette Bailey, the Council's Executive Member For Leisure, said: “This project is aimed at young people who need a helping hand to get a new start in life."

“Hopefully by using sport, and particularly football, we can help them gain vital skills, training and qualifications that will help them find work and pass those new-found skills on to others."

The Council's Community Football Development Officer Paul Bright added: “The Strike for Life project is an opportunity for young people to access sports courses, grow in confidence and meet new people and hopefully help the participants gain employment in the sport and leisure industry.”

The launch takes place at 10.00am in the press room at Turf Moor and all media are invited along with photographs and interview opportunities available.